Do you eat more on weekends?

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The long awaited weekend is a time to relax and be with
your family or friends, however, try not to consume too many
calories by convincing yourself that it's ok just because it's your
day off.

Nowadays there are food options to please
everyone's taste buds. There are a variety of fast food, buffet and
a la carte restaurants, and if you don't want to leave the comfort
of your home, there's always the option of ordering in.

Although there are so many enticing options, try
to select those that are best for you so you don't consume too many
calories.Here are some recommendations:

Choose restaurants where they serve healthy food
that's low in fat and cholesterol. If you have any concerns about
the fat content in a meal, ask the waiter/waitress about how the
dish is prepared.

Keep in mind that food not prepared at home
contains a lot of sodium (salt) including appetizers, salsas and
even dishes made with soy sauce. It's best to ask for the sauce on
the side and add just a little to give flavor to your food.

If you are on a weight control program, avoid
alcoholic beverages, or on occasion drink sugar-free drinks or a
glass of wine.

Drink natural juices, sugar-free teas, or
sugar-free soft drinks.

Stay active on the weekends to burn the extra
calories you accumulated during the week.

Research on eating habits

Recent research shows that eating behaviors on
the weekends contribute to an increased calorie intake. According
to this study, Americans between the ages of 19 and 50 consume an
average of 115 extra calories on weekends. The added calories come
mainly from fats and alcohol instead of carbohydrates.

Other similar studies researched the eating
habits of 514 healthy people ages 30 to 69. They found that people
consumed more calories on Friday, Saturday and Sunday than between
Monday and Thursday, thus increasing their calorie intake from 2270
to 2475.

In the case of people with obesity, there was
also an increase in calorie intake on the weekends. Men had a
higher consumption than women did, and like in the previous study,
the increased consumption came from fats and alcohol.

That's why you should monitor your eating habits
and alcohol consumption on the weekends so you can fully enjoy your
free time without any regrets
.